Folding box and crate.



G. L. LAPISH. FOLDING BOX AND CRATE. APPLIOATION I'ILED JULY 29, 1912.

Patented Dec. 23, 1913.

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CHARLES L. LAPISH, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

FOLDING BOX AND CRATE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES L. LAPISI-I, a citizen of the United Stat-es of America, residing at Pittsburgh, N. S., in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improve ments in Folding Boxes and Crates, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to folding boxes and crates, and the primary object of my invention is to provide a foldable structure that can be collapsed to occupy a comparativcly small space in transportation or storage.

Another object of this invention is to provide a collapsible box or crate that can be advantageously used for shipping poultry, fruits and other merchandise, when the box or crate is to be returned by the consignee to the consignor.

A further object of this invention is to provide a foldable inclosure embodying walls that are easily adjusted and fixed to provide a rigid structure capable of with standing rough usage.

A still further object of this invent-ion is to accomplish the above results by a mechanical construction that is inexpensive and highly eflicient for the purposes for which it is intended.

l Vith the above and other objects in view, the invention resides in a novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter specifically described and then claimed.

Reference will now be had to the drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a front elevation of the crate, partly broken away and partly in section. Fig. 2 is an end view of the same, partly broken away and partly in section. Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the crate as folded. Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same, and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the crate.

Further describing my invention with reference to the drawing wherein like numerals denote corresponding parts throughout: 1 denotes a base or bottom plate that is rectangular in plan and has the ends thereof provided with vertical cleats 2, said cleats Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed .Tu1y 29, 1912.

Patented Dec. 23, 1913.

Serial No. 712,065

by the front edge of the bottom plate 1,

adjacent to the cut away portions 3 of the cleats 2. The straps 6 and the angle brackets 8, together with the rod 7. constitute hinges for the slatted front wall, which. is adapted to fold upon the bottom plate 1.

9 denotes a vertical longitudinal cleat carried by the rear edge of the bottom plate 1 and hinged to said cleat, similar to the slatted front wall a is a slatted rear wall 10 adapted to fold inwardly above the bottom plate 1, as best shown in Fig. 3.

The top rails of the walls 4 and 10 are provided with. apertured lugs 11 and pivotally connected to said lugs by links 12 are the apertured lugs 13 of a sectional slatted lid 14.

The end cleats 2 have the ends thereof provided with angle brackets 15 and pivotally connected to said angle brackets by rods 16 are strans 17, carried by bottom rails 18 of slatted end walls 19. The top rails 20 of the walls 19 are provided with inwardly projecting supports 21 for the ends of the sectional lid 14:, as best shown at the right hand side of Fig. 1.

As a fastening means for retaining the walls of the crate in a vertical position, I use hooks 22 and eyes 28, these elements being located at the upper edges of the walls whereby said walls can be connected together.

To fold the crate, the front wall 4 is swung inwardly upon the bottom plate 1 and the section of the lid l lcarried thereby swung upon the outer side of the front wall. This is permitted by reason of the links 12 which are essential in order that the walls of the crate can be compactly folded. The rear wall 10 is now folded inwardly upon the lid section carried by the front wall and the lid section carried by the rear wall is folded rearwardly upon the outer side of the rear wall. The two end walls 19 are then folded upon the lid section 1 1, as best shown in Fig. 1. Straps, twine or any other susceptible to such modifications and vari-.

ations as fall within the scope of the appended claim.

lVhat I claim is A folding crate comprising a bottom plate and side and end walls, cleats carried by the ends and one side of said plate a pair of oppositely disposed angle brackets carried by each of the cleats one near each end thereof and a fourth pair carried by the other side of said plate one in proximity to each end thereof, a pair of straps secured to and depending from the ends of each of said side and end walls and opposing the vertical arms of said brackets, rods extending through said straps and vertical arms of said brackets for detachably hinging said Walls one to each of the cleats and one to the bottom plate, said cleats at the ends of said plates having their lower corners cut away to provide a clearance for the passage of the rods connecting the end walls in position, and means for maintaining said walls ii.- an upright position.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES L. LAPISH. Witnesses:

N. LOUIS BRYAN, KATHERINE ERRETT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

